US4319829A - Noncircular photoconductor belt mounting apparatus and method - Google Patents

Noncircular photoconductor belt mounting apparatus and method Download PDF

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Publication number
US4319829A
US4319829A US06/173,590 US17359080A US4319829A US 4319829 A US4319829 A US 4319829A US 17359080 A US17359080 A US 17359080A US 4319829 A US4319829 A US 4319829A
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United States
Prior art keywords
belt
straight portion
machine
radius
closed loop
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Expired - Lifetime
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US06/173,590
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English (en)
Inventor
Donald L. Janeway, III
Peter A. Stevenson
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International Business Machines Corp
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International Business Machines Corp
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Publication date
Application filed by International Business Machines Corp filed Critical International Business Machines Corp
Priority to US06/173,590 priority Critical patent/US4319829A/en
Priority to JP8121281A priority patent/JPS5734576A/ja
Priority to EP81104236A priority patent/EP0044919B1/en
Priority to DE8181104236T priority patent/DE3163183D1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4319829A publication Critical patent/US4319829A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/75—Details relating to xerographic drum, band or plate, e.g. replacing, testing
    • G03G15/754—Details relating to xerographic drum, band or plate, e.g. replacing, testing relating to band, e.g. tensioning

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for mounting flexible photoconductor belts within a compact copier machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for mounting closed loop, flexible belts having photoconductor surfaces thereon so that they retain their proper relationship to the various elements associated with the copying process of the machine.
  • Photoconductor belt mounts constructed in accordance with this invention make it possible to realize maximum efficiency of internal space utilization within the copier.
  • the present invention is particularly well-suited for supporting xerographic copier operations relative to processing elements designed and fabricated for interfacing with photoconductor drums in a manner that avoids the volumetric size of the overall copier demanded by a full size photoconductor drum.
  • a substantial number of the contemporary xerographic office copiers and the like have developed around the use of a cylindrical drum having a photoconductive surface thereon.
  • the xerographic processing elements associated with such drums have developed to a relatively high degree of sophistication and reliability, but in many cases, in configurations which require the processing elements to interface with the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum.
  • Typical processing elements so configured include developers, paper path guiding arrangements, transfer apparatus, coronas, and so forth.
  • cylindrical drums, to retain the complete original document image must be of such a diameter that they dictate the minimum size that an office copier can assume.
  • the drum mounting structure requires relatively close tolerances to minimize variations in the drum photoconductive surface orientation, relative to the processing elements, as the drum rotates.
  • Compact copier machines in accordance with the present invention make it possible to most efficiently utilize the space within the machine housing in which a flexible, closed loop belt, having a photoconductor surface, is to be mounted.
  • This photoconductor belt is to be used in conjunction with a xerographic process or the like, and the machine will utilize at least one element configured with an interface for operatively cooperating with a photoconductively surfaced drum having a radius R, where such a drum has a circumferential length adequate to receive the image of an original document or the like.
  • Apparatus in accordance with this invention for noncylindrically mounting the belt include a guide which has a plurality of outwardly facing surfaces forming a series of interconnected courses for supportingly engaging the interior surface of the belt in a closed loop path.
  • At least one of the surfaces of this guide is configured for defining a course in the form of a segment of the periphery of a cylinder of a radius R, with the adjacent courses being configured with other than the radius R.
  • the guide means is attached relative to the machine housing so as to locate the cylinder segment surface in facing relation to the machine element interface formed with the radius R. Therefore, the belt is advantageously maintained in a fixed space relation to the processing element interface, a result not always possible with a rotating photoconductor drum.
  • the guide for the flexible belt can include multiple courses having the radius R for interfacing with respective elements, although it should be noted that different radii for different belt supporting segments can be employed if desired, to interface with xerographic processing components designed and proven in a manner so as to conform to photoconductive drums having different radii.
  • the photoconductive belt can be positioned across a generally straight portion of the guide with a motivating device for the belt, such as a roller drive or the like, on the downstream side of the straight portion, and a means for applying tension to the belt on the upstream side so that the belt remains relatively straight across the straight portion. This allows reliable projection of the image to be copied onto the belt in that straight portion as by scanning and/or full document imaging.
  • a motivating device for the belt such as a roller drive or the like
  • the present invention is equally suitable for use with any of a variety of imaging devices such as fiber optic scanners, moving mirror and/or lense scanners, flash scanners, film or microfiche projectors, and so forth.
  • imaging devices such as fiber optic scanners, moving mirror and/or lense scanners, flash scanners, film or microfiche projectors, and so forth.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a copier in somewhat schematic form, illustrating the interrelationship of a belt-mount arrangement to the copier elements.
  • FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a belt mounting guide for the FIG. 1 embodiment, taken from one end.
  • FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the mounting arrangement for the belt guide of FIGS. 1 and 2, taken from the opposite end relative to FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectioned view of the belt mounting apparatus in accordance with this invention, looking toward the belt tension applying/relieving end.
  • copier 10 receives documents to be copied through input slot 12, where they are driven by the document feeder 15 past a fiber optic scanning station 16.
  • the original documents after processing, are either delivered to the exit slot 17, or are recirculated for multiple copies as by return paper path 18.
  • the image of the original document thus scanned is placed upon a continuous loop photoconductor (PC) belt 20, which is retained in place by means of a guide frame assembly 21, described in greater detail hereinbelow.
  • PC photoconductor
  • Copier 10 is shown in the two-cycle process configuration wherein coronas 24 and 25 initially operate as precharge and charge coronas, respectively, to place an appropriate electrostatic voltage level on PC belt 20.
  • the image of the original document is placed upon belt 20 at scan location 26 by selective discharge, based upon the image contained in the original document as is well known.
  • This image is then developed by developer unit 30 which places toner on appropriate areas of belt 20 as it passes the magnetic brush roller 31.
  • the image on belt 20 encounters paper gating mechanism 34 which controls the introduction of copy sheets from cassette 35 over the paper path shown generally at 36, to the photoconductor belt 20 in appropriate synchronism with the movement of the toned image on belt 20.
  • Corona 24 then operates as a transfer corona to transfer toner from belt 20 onto the copy sheets.
  • the copy sheets continue to the fuser comprised of rollers 38 and 39 where the toner image is fused to the copy sheet substrate.
  • the toned copy sheet is then exited from the machine.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 The details of the manner of mounting the belt guide frame 21 relative to the main frame 40 of copier 10, is shown in isometric views in FIGS. 2 and 3, taken from opposite directions.
  • frame 40 is shown symbolically as a solid plate in FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be recognized that the machine frame is appropriately configured for permitting proper attachment and interfacing between belt guide 21 and other xerographic processing elements such as corona 24, developer 30 and paper feed mechanism 34 shown in FIG. 1.
  • One end of frame 21 is attached to plate 41, while the other end 42 is shown detached from end plate 44.
  • frame 21 is thus mounted in a cantilever relation from end plate 41, it will be understood that plate 42 can be releasably secured relative to end plate 44 by any suitable latching arrangement.
  • the latching mechanism should be such as to allow replacement of sleeve belt 20 on frame 21.
  • a hook bar attached between plates 42 and 44 can be pivotable out of the way of slot 43 between plates 42 and 44 to allow belt 20 to be replaced.
  • Plates 41 and 44 are pivotally attached to respective mounting brackets 45 and 46 which are, in turn, secured to machine frame 40.
  • Cross-member 47 includes a slot 48 to accommodate the fiber optic bundle of scanning assembly 16, not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • the entire assembly, including belt 20 and belt mounting guide 21 is pivotable relative to main frame 40 to allow access for servicing.
  • Holes 49 in plates 41 and 44 accommodate positioning of corona 25 also not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • end plates 41 and 42 rest upon stop members 50 and 51, respectively.
  • Motor 52 is mounted internally to belt mounting frame or guide 21 in a manner taught by the aforementioned cross-referenced application Ser. No. 107,217. Slots such as 53 allow air to flow through motor 52 through end plate 41, and drive shaft 54 is coupled into a gear or drive belt transmission 55 for imparting power to other components associated with the copier operation as needed.
  • transmission 55 couples operating power to drive shaft 56, which is connected to rotate roller 58. Accordingly, roller 58 imparts motivating power to photoconductor belt 20, which is formed as a continuous sleeve, thereby driving belt 20 past the appropriate processing stations.
  • belt 20 can be positively located on roller 58 and thus on frame 21 by including radially extending pins (not shown) near the outer ends of roller 58. These pins can be cammed in radial directions relative to roller 58 in and out of sprocket-type engagement with matching holes on the edge or edges of belt 20 to facilitate removal and replacement of sleeve belt 20 as needed.
  • Belt 20 need not necessarily be positively driven as by sprocket pins or the like if appropriate synchronization is associated with the edge of belt 20, or if some other means is included in the copier for synchronizing the movement of original document images on belt 20 with the movement of copy sheets for image transfer purposes.
  • FIG. 4 presents a sectioned view of belt mounting guide 21, particularly illustrating the interrelationship of the components including the tensioning assembly 60.
  • Knob 62 shown in FIG. 2 is mounted for rotary movement around hub 63 in end frame 42.
  • Pin 64 on the reverse side of knob 62 extends inwardly into guide 21 so as to engage the interior of J-shaped bar 65.
  • Bar 65 is further attached to shaft 66, which is retained in the groove 67 relative to sidewall 68.
  • cantilever spring member 70 holds curved plate 72 in a outward direction, thereby applying slack-removing tension to the interior surface of belt 20.
  • rotation of pin 64 to its clockwise position relative to cam surface 69 as shown in FIG. 4 causes shaft 66 to rotate so that spring arm 70 pivots upwardly into the interior of frame guide 21, thereby loosening belt 20 so that it may be easily slid over the surface of guide 21 and removed.
  • belt guide 21 is essentially formed of a series of interconnected courses. That is, member 21 is formed such as by extrusion or the like, with surfaces defined by sidewalls 68 and 75 essentially defining two segments of a path having a radius R, where the radius R is for a drum which would be configured so as to appropriately interface with the elements such as developer/cleaner 30 and sheet feed mechanism 34 shown in FIG. 1. Although shown in FIG.
  • the belt guiding courses defined by guide 21, include an idler roller 76 acting as an interface between surface 75 and a flat guide portion 77.
  • a second essentially straight or flat portion 78 is positioned relative to the imaging area, and a bend 79 is formed at the transition between surfaces 77 and 78.
  • Drive roller 58 completes the belt guiding courses of the closed loop. Note that bend 79, as well as idler roller 76 and tensioning shoe plate 72, tend to apply a certain amount of drag to belt 20 as it is being driven by roller 58 in the direction generally suggested by arrow 80. Thus, belt 20 is assured of a relatively flat configuration as it passes the scanning area over flat surface 78.
  • any of a wide variety of apparatus and techniques can be used for the elements shown.
  • air bearings can be included relative to any of the surfaces, including tensioner bar 72 and rollers 58 or 76.
  • Other belt tensioning mechanisms than spring arm 70 can be used.
  • the interior surface of closed loop belt 20 can be engaged by rollers or the like in place of a friction surface of element 72.
  • Air pressure or vacuum engagement can also be used for selectively applying tension to belt 20.
  • the radii associated with different sidewalls, such as 68 and 75 need not be the same.
  • guide 21 can be configured along one course so as to appropriately interface with one element designed for interfacing with a drum having a first radius and, along another course, for interfacing with yet another element designed to interface with a drum of a different radius.
  • knob 62 is pivoted so as to ensure that curved shoe 72 is withdrawn into frame 21 and a sleeve-type photoconductive belt 20 is slid through slot 43 onto frame 21 into the position generally shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • Knob 62 is then pivoted in the opposite direction so as to cause pressure to be applied to the interior surface of belt 20 in the manner shown in FIG. 4 so as to place belt 20 into a state of tensile stress.
  • the tensioning apparatus 60 is arranged such that the belt 20 is in conformity to a segment of the periphery of a drum as it interfaces with the other xerographic processing elements such as 30 and 34 in FIG. 1. Accordingly, elements 24, 30 and 34 can be of a design originally developed for a full drum.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Discharging, Photosensitive Material Shape In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
US06/173,590 1980-07-30 1980-07-30 Noncircular photoconductor belt mounting apparatus and method Expired - Lifetime US4319829A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/173,590 US4319829A (en) 1980-07-30 1980-07-30 Noncircular photoconductor belt mounting apparatus and method
JP8121281A JPS5734576A (en) 1980-07-30 1981-05-29 Belt mounting device
EP81104236A EP0044919B1 (en) 1980-07-30 1981-06-03 Xerographic machine employing photoconductive imaging belt
DE8181104236T DE3163183D1 (en) 1980-07-30 1981-06-03 Xerographic machine employing photoconductive imaging belt

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/173,590 US4319829A (en) 1980-07-30 1980-07-30 Noncircular photoconductor belt mounting apparatus and method

Publications (1)

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US4319829A true US4319829A (en) 1982-03-16

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/173,590 Expired - Lifetime US4319829A (en) 1980-07-30 1980-07-30 Noncircular photoconductor belt mounting apparatus and method

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US (1) US4319829A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP0044919B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5734576A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE3163183D1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4436403A (en) 1982-06-07 1984-03-13 International Business Machines Corporation Guidance correction method and apparatus for copy paper path in a copier
US4502778A (en) * 1982-12-27 1985-03-05 International Business Machines Corporation System for monitoring and controlling electrophotographic toner operation
US4739371A (en) * 1986-11-10 1988-04-19 Xerox Corporation Low cost belt module
US4835582A (en) * 1986-10-28 1989-05-30 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Device for driving a photoconductive element of an electrophotographic copier etc.
USRE34604E (en) * 1982-04-14 1994-05-10 Stanford University Sensor using fiber interferometer
US6014535A (en) * 1998-12-10 2000-01-11 Imation Corp. Soft cartridge package for a photoreceptor belt and method of manufacturing soft cartridge package including method of loading photoreceptor belt using soft cartridge package
US6049682A (en) * 1998-12-10 2000-04-11 Imation Corp. Hard cartridge package for an organic photoreceptor belt
US6097912A (en) * 1998-12-10 2000-08-01 Imation Corp. Protective cover package for an organic photoreceptor belt
WO2001061418A1 (en) * 2000-02-16 2001-08-23 Imation Corp. An electrophotographic imaging system having a support shoe positioned within the laser strike region

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3020102B2 (ja) * 1989-06-16 2000-03-15 コニカ株式会社 カラー画像形成装置
US5063411A (en) * 1989-06-16 1991-11-05 Konica Corporation Color image forming apparatus having a unitary guide plate facing a plurality of developing devices
US5189472A (en) * 1989-06-16 1993-02-23 Konica Corporation Color image forming apparatus having a plurality of guide members facing a plurality of developing devices
JP2789042B2 (ja) * 1989-08-19 1998-08-20 コニカ株式会社 カラー画像形成装置
US5168318A (en) * 1989-10-18 1992-12-01 Konica Corporation Color image forming apparatus having a predetermined space maintained between a photosensitive belt and developing devices
JP2517801Y2 (ja) * 1989-10-20 1996-11-20 オリンパス光学工業株式会社 テープレコーダの自動停止装置

Citations (8)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3435693A (en) * 1966-10-27 1969-04-01 Xerox Corp Belt tracking device
US3697160A (en) * 1969-04-30 1972-10-10 Xerox Corp Continuous imaging apparatus
US3722992A (en) * 1971-01-11 1973-03-27 Pitney Bowes Inc Apparatus for creating an electrostatic latent image by charge modulation
US4013359A (en) * 1974-08-23 1977-03-22 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Electrostatic copier including means for detaching paper from a photoconductor
US4025188A (en) * 1974-11-25 1977-05-24 Xerox Corporation Photoactive device for xerography
US4063809A (en) * 1975-01-27 1977-12-20 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Photoconductor support drum for photocopy machine
US4155639A (en) * 1977-05-09 1979-05-22 A. B. Dick Company Flexible belt xerographic copier
US4189223A (en) * 1978-07-07 1980-02-19 Xerox Corporation Steering and supporting system for a photoconductive belt

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1091863A (en) * 1964-04-09 1967-11-22 Arlside Ltd Electrophotographic printing apparatus
US3520604A (en) * 1967-10-16 1970-07-14 Addressograph Multigraph Photoelectrostatic copier
US3706489A (en) * 1970-04-24 1972-12-19 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Copying and duplicating apparatus
JPS52152737U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-03-15 1977-11-19

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3435693A (en) * 1966-10-27 1969-04-01 Xerox Corp Belt tracking device
US3697160A (en) * 1969-04-30 1972-10-10 Xerox Corp Continuous imaging apparatus
US3722992A (en) * 1971-01-11 1973-03-27 Pitney Bowes Inc Apparatus for creating an electrostatic latent image by charge modulation
US4013359A (en) * 1974-08-23 1977-03-22 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Electrostatic copier including means for detaching paper from a photoconductor
US4025188A (en) * 1974-11-25 1977-05-24 Xerox Corporation Photoactive device for xerography
US4063809A (en) * 1975-01-27 1977-12-20 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Photoconductor support drum for photocopy machine
US4155639A (en) * 1977-05-09 1979-05-22 A. B. Dick Company Flexible belt xerographic copier
US4189223A (en) * 1978-07-07 1980-02-19 Xerox Corporation Steering and supporting system for a photoconductive belt

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 9, No. 11, Apr. 1967, pp. 1526-1527, entitled "An Electrographic Printer with Asynchronous Image Belt", by Hider et al. *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USRE34604E (en) * 1982-04-14 1994-05-10 Stanford University Sensor using fiber interferometer
US4436403A (en) 1982-06-07 1984-03-13 International Business Machines Corporation Guidance correction method and apparatus for copy paper path in a copier
US4502778A (en) * 1982-12-27 1985-03-05 International Business Machines Corporation System for monitoring and controlling electrophotographic toner operation
US4835582A (en) * 1986-10-28 1989-05-30 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Device for driving a photoconductive element of an electrophotographic copier etc.
US4739371A (en) * 1986-11-10 1988-04-19 Xerox Corporation Low cost belt module
US6014535A (en) * 1998-12-10 2000-01-11 Imation Corp. Soft cartridge package for a photoreceptor belt and method of manufacturing soft cartridge package including method of loading photoreceptor belt using soft cartridge package
US6049682A (en) * 1998-12-10 2000-04-11 Imation Corp. Hard cartridge package for an organic photoreceptor belt
US6097912A (en) * 1998-12-10 2000-08-01 Imation Corp. Protective cover package for an organic photoreceptor belt
WO2001061418A1 (en) * 2000-02-16 2001-08-23 Imation Corp. An electrophotographic imaging system having a support shoe positioned within the laser strike region

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3163183D1 (en) 1984-05-24
JPS5734576A (en) 1982-02-24
EP0044919B1 (en) 1984-04-18
JPH0230016B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1990-07-04
EP0044919A1 (en) 1982-02-03

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